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Diagnostics & pharmacy

Pharmacy & Dispensing

The medicine master with generic, form, strength, barcode and high-alert flag; stock by pharmacy and store with batches and expiry; the dispensing queue fed by signed prescriptions — validity checked, allergies checked, substitution recorded; ward stock issues; the controlled-drug register; expiring batches.

For:PharmacistsStore keepersWard nurses

Where:Pharmacy › To Dispense · Dispenses · Medicines · Stock · Controlled Drug Register · Expiring Batches

The dispensing queue: signed prescriptions waiting at each pharmacy.
The dispensing queue: signed prescriptions waiting at each pharmacy.
A dispense: lines, batches, substitutions and the charge.
A dispense: lines, batches, substitutions and the charge.

Before you start

Pharmacies and stores
Pharmacy › Configuration › Pharmacies & Stores: outpatient pharmacy, inpatient pharmacy, main store, ward stocks — each a stock location.
Medicines
Pharmacy › Medicines: one product per strength and form, with the barcode printed on the pack so the eMAR can scan it.

How to

Dispense an outpatient prescription

  1. Pharmacy › To Dispense: signed prescriptions in order of arrival; open one (or scan the prescription barcode).
  2. Expired prescriptions are refused with a red banner — the patient needs a new one.
  3. For each line choose the batch (earliest expiry first is proposed); substitute a generic where allowed and record it.
  4. Dispense: stock moves, the charge is captured on the bill; the label prints with the instructions.
  5. The patient pays at the cashier (or the amount is on the inpatient bill).

Issue ward stock and inpatient medicines

  1. Inpatient prescriptions are dispensed to the ward’s stock; the nurse gives doses from the eMAR.
  2. Ward stock requests: Pharmacy › Stock › Ward requisition; issue against them and the ward’s location is credited.

Receive purchases and manage batches

  1. Purchases arrive through Purchasing › Receipts with batch and expiry per line.
  2. Pharmacy › Expiring Batches lists what expires in 90 days for return or use-first.
  3. Stock counts per location under Pharmacy › Stock.

Keep the controlled-drug register

  1. Every receipt, dispense and wastage of a controlled medicine writes a line in Pharmacy › Controlled Drug Register with the balance, the patient and the two signatories.
  2. Print the register per medicine per month for the inspector.

See also: Prescriptions & Orders Nursing Station & Barcode eMAR Purchasing, Stock & Maintenance Bills, Charges & Cashier

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